MLB Player News

France came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to Atlanta, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.

While his final numbers were solid, three of the hits off France went for extra bases, including no-doubt solo homers by Marcell Ozuna and Ronald Acuna. The right-hander tossed 51 of 90 pitches for strikes, and while this was his best performance of the season so far, his spot in the rotation only seems safe because Houston lacks healthy options to replace him. France will take a 7.08 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB through 20.1 innings into his next outing, scheduled to come on the road next week against the Cubs.

Miller (3-1) earned the win over the Reds on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over six innings while striking out seven.

Miller was dominant Wednesday, doing much of the work with his four-seamer as he held the Reds to just one hit over six frames. The only run he allowed was a solo homer off the bat of Elly De La Cruz, the first home run he's given up over his last three starts. Miller has dazzled on the mound since taking the loss in his first start of the season and now holds a 0.47 ERA in April to go along with an 18:5 K:BB. Furthermore, the right-hander has now gone at least six innings in three consecutive starts, allowing no more than three hits in each of those outings.

Fried came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Astros, giving up three runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out two.

The southpaw also uncorked a wild pitch and tossed only 52 of his 96 pitches for strikes, continuing a somewhat shaky start to the season. Fried has managed only one quality start in his four trips to the mound, and while his 7.71 ERA and 1.96 WHIP will come down, his 12:9 K:BB through 16.1 innings has been far from dominant. He'll try to get on track in his next outing, which lines up for a home start against the Marlins early next week.

Criswell is slated to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Brennan Bernardino in Thursday's game against the Guardians, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Criswell joined the Boston rotation last weekend against the Angels as a replacement for Nick Pivetta (elbow) and gave up two earned runs over four innings in his Red Sox debut. The right-hander will remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future, but he'll be deployed in bulk relief with the hope that the arrangement generates more favorable results. Expect Bernardino to work no more than an inning or two before giving way to Criswell.

Pfaadt (1-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits over seven innings in a loss to the Cubs on Wednesday. He struck out six.

Pfaadt kept Chicago's offense at bay over the first four innings, allowing just two singles over that stretch. However, he ran into some trouble in the fifth after Nico Hoerner reached base in the leadoff at-bat following a fielding error from Eugenio Suarez. The right-hander would only be charged for one of the two runs that came home in the frame, though he would go on to allow another run in the sixth, this time via a solo homer off the bat of Cody Bellinger. Pfaadt has now allowed at least three runs in each of his last three starts and has also surrendered six or more hits in each of those outings. He's also posted a 17:3 K:BB over that stretch.

Dunning came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Tigers, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over five-plus innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander tossed 97 pitches (56 strikes) before being lifted after a Spencer Torkelson double to lead off the sixth inning, and Dunning missed out on his third win of the year when the Rangers' bullpen squandered a 4-2 lead. The 29-year-old has lasted at least five innings in all four of his starts to begin 2024 while allowing three runs or less in each, leaving him with a 3.91 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB through 23 innings. Dunning lines up to take the mound at home against the Mariners next week.

Matz (1-1) took the loss against Oakland on Wednesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings while striking out four.

Matz got off to an decent start, striking out three of the first six batters he faced before getting tagged for two runs on an Esteury Ruiz home run in the bottom of the third. The lefty would then allow three consecutive hits to open the fifth, leading to three more runs coming across for Oakland as he took his first loss of the season. Matz had not allowed more than two runs in any of his first three starts coming in, though he's now given up 15 hits over his last 9.2 innings of work. The home run from Ruiz was also the first long ball that Matz has allowed this season.

Blackburn (2-0) allowed three runs on six hits and five walks over 5.2 innings in a win over the Cardinals on Wednesday. He struck out seven.

Blackburn struggled with his command out of the gate, surrendering a leadoff single to open the game before walking two batters in the first inning. He then went 1-2-3 through the next two innings, even striking out the side in the second, but was tagged for three runs in the fourth after allowing three consecutive hits to begin the frame. The right-hander had not allowed a run through his first three starts coming into Wednesday's matchup, while it also marked the first time this season in which he failed to make it through at least six innings. Blackburn also recorded a season-high seven strikeouts in the win and currently holds a 1.08 ERA on the season, though he's now issued seven walks over his last two starts.

Bradley (pectoral) threw around 50 pitches in a simulated game Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bradley threw the session at the Rays' spring training facility, which marks a significant step in his recovery. He's nearing a rehab assignment, but the team has stated it wants to ensure he regains his stamina before pushing him too hard. A return in the first half of May remains realistic if Bradley doesn't suffer any setbacks.

Skubal allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits across 6.1 innings and did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers. He walked one and struck out six.

Skubal has now given up two earned runs or fewer in three of his four starts this season, resulting in a stellar 2.28 ERA. The lefty also has 26 strikeouts across 23.2 innings, and his overall body of work makes him a very strong fantasy asset moving forward. Skubal is projected to take the mound again Monday against the Rays, and he should be locked into lineups no matter the opponent, as he appears to be fairly matchup-proof at this point.